On the bench… 4-H Club memorializes mentor

Thomas Andersen, widower of Audrey Andersen, and their youngest daughter, Alison, sit near the plaque on the bench dedicated in her memory and given by the 4-H Club whose members surround the family. Photo by Michele Walter Fry

A shiny new bench sits in the Denver Memorial Park, dedicated to Audrey Andersen, a longtime volunteer in the community.

“The kids wanted to do something for her because Audrey did so much for our 4-H Club,” said Janet Fasnacht, founder of the local Rags to Rabbits. “When she passed away, it was a big loss to all of us.”

Audrey was 64 years old when she died in May 2015.

“She was involved in Rags to Rabbits, and they hold their meetings in my office (Cocalico Vision Center),” said Thomas Andersen, Audrey’s husband. “She got our daughter, Ally, involved with rabbitry at an early age and that’s what she’s been doing ever since, working with rabbits.”

“They didn’t have a 4-H program here for rabbits,” said Connie Hutchinson. “They were traveling to Lebanon County, and Audrey formed it in the Denver/Ephrata area, and it will continue on.”

Rags to Rabbits prepares children and adults to show rabbits as like other livestock in fairs.

“It gets the children in the area involved at a small level and then they can continue to grow with it,” said Hutchinson.

Audrey’s family came from different areas of the state for the special bench dedication in memory of her.

“A week and a half after she was diagnosed with leukemia, she passed away on us,” said daughter Tara Houck, Sullivan County. “She had asthma and that’s what they were treating her for. It was a blessing; Mom never wanted to be old. She was an auctioneer and did a lot of benefit auctions.”

Audrey’s youngest daughter, Alison, 25, misses her mom.

“Alison was glued to her mother’s hip,” said Houck. “Alison has a learning disability, so this 4-H rabbit club really brought her out of her shell. She got to meet some good friends and continues to have those friends as she grows in life.”

Alison described her dedication to rabbits.

“Janet Fasnacht came into the office in middle school,” she said. “I have five different breeds now. When I started, I had only one breed. It’s a hobby.”

The skills she learned in 4-H led her to her job at Cocalico Biologicals where she’s been working for almost 10 years.

“I trim rabbit nails, weigh them and sort them out,” said Alison.

“She also washes test tubes,” said her dad.

Houck teared up when she thought of what this small organization did for her mother.

“I just think it’s a total honor for our family,” said Houck. “My mom did a lot for this community and a lot of people and a lot of different organizations and never asked for anything back. That was Mom, she was very giving.”

“It’s not just about rabbits,” said Houck. “She was a Girl Scout leader, for 25 years she was in charge of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association, South East Chapter, as secretary and treasurer. The list goes on, this is just one organization and probably the smallest organization which gave her recognition.”

“What these women did in honor of my mom cannot be replaced. Her health was the last thing she worried about, she took care of everybody else.”